If you just happen to find yourself in the ‘never-been-in-a-relationship’ basket, here are eight things you need to remind yourself:

Just because “everyone else” is in a relationship, doesn’t mean you’re missing out

One of the biggest reasons people worry if they aren’t in (or have ever been) in a long term relationship is because it seems like everyone else is.

Perhaps everyone else in your circle of friends really is all loved up — and you’re always the third wheel.

Remember, you don’t have to have the same relationship status as them in order to fit in and be ‘normal’. You still have value to add to the other people in your life — even if they happen to come in pairs.

You don’t need to exile yourself from the group in search of other singletons.

Stop worrying, stop waiting — just enjoy yourself

You don’t need a partner in order to feel fulfilled and enjoy life. Until you find a long-term partner to share life’s experiences with, be happily single in the meantime.

Maximise time with the people already in your life — the ones who uplift you and bring joy to your days.

Spend time with yourself.

You’ll look back at this time and remember what you did and how you felt — and not necessarily on who you did or didn’t share it with.

Revel in your freedom — do the things now that don’t necessarily come so freely to those who are ‘committed’ to other people.